Memorial Day weekend is usually a big weekend for my family. Not only do we typically gather with our closest friends and family members for a big cookout featuring our best Memorial Day cookout recipes, but we also celebrate my birthday during that gathering! This year, however, looks a little different—given our current social distancing mandates. But that doesn’t mean we won’t be utilizing some of our best Memorial Day cookout recipes!
Just because our gathering will be much smaller this year, featuring just my family of four, that’s no reason to halt the celebration. After all, we still have so much to be thankful for, including the many brave souls who fought for our freedoms and died serving our country.
So, I’d like to encourage you to take a little inspiration from my family’s favorite Memorial Day cookout recipes featured below and create a little cookout of your own! Maybe you can even pack a basket and find a beautiful spot for a nice family picnic.
7 Best Memorial Day Cookout Recipes
Here are seven of the best Memorial Day cookout recipes I’ve found. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
1. Cashew Queso
This creamy, delicious queso dip is dairy-free and made from health-promoting cashew nuts. The best part? If you’ve presoaked your cashews, it can be ready in under 10 minutes! Serve it with corn chips for a meal that’s both gluten- and dairy-free!
2. Avocado Hummus
I don’t know about you, but I love avocados and hummus. So, when I found this recipe, I was overjoyed! And let me tell you, it does not disappoint. Serve this to your family, and they’re bound to tell you this is one of the best Memorial Day cookout recipes you’ve ever made.
3. Classic Vegan Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a classic side dish for any cookout, but the dairy base can make it pretty unhealthy. That’s what I love about this vegan coleslaw recipe. It features vegan mayonnaise and health-promoting apple cider vinegar, which is why it makes my list of the best Memorial Day cookout recipes this year.
4. Corn-Off-the-Cobb Salad
Aside from barbecue, is there any dish more popular at cookouts than corn-on-the-cobb? Well, this dish is a twist on a standard favorite. It features some great-tasting and healthy spices along with an olive oil base, giving it some great fat content. This one is sure to be a new favorite.
5. Pulled Barbecue Jackfruit
Because I have trouble digesting meat but a few of my family don’t, I’m constantly on the lookout for recipes that we can all enjoy—with the flavor they love and without the digestive discomfort I need to avoid. This Pulled Barbecue Jackfruit does just the trick. Serve it on gluten-free buns to avoid inflammatory gluten and you’re good to go!
6. Balsamic Garlic Grilled Mushroom Skewers
I have a confession: These mushroom skewers also made my list of best Memorial Day cookout recipes last year. But they’re just so easy and delicious that I had to include them again this year! Just remember my little tip: Use liquid aminos or coconut aminos in place of the soy sauce for an added health boost.
7. Cherry-Strawberry Chia Seed Fool with Vanilla Bean Coconut Whipped Cream
My last suggestion for the best Memorial Day cooking recipes is a little more involved, since it needs to be made the night before. But, trust me, it is well worth it! One taste of this sweet treat will have your family—especially your kids—clamoring for more. Just remember to use an all-natural sweetener such as honey in place of the sugar in the coconut whipped cream for added health benefits.
Well, there you go—some of the very best Memorial Day cookout recipes I’ve found. I hope you enjoy them and have a relaxing Memorial Day cookout with your family.
